Chic vs. Geek: Year of the Water Tiger

Happy Lunar New Year! Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, more specifically, the Water Tiger. So what can we expect from the year ahead?

CHIC (PEARL)

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born under one of the 12 signs tend to emulate the characteristics of that animal, which is why those born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be natural, assertive, and generous leaders. They’re thrillseekers with a courageous streak, but they’re also short tempered.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As you might expect, the tiger sign comes with great strength, and for the Water Tiger, this strength is grounded in their interpersonal relationships, especially among family. If you’re looking for a loyal friend who will stick with you no matter what, look no further than someone born in the Year of the Tiger!

Geek's Number Talk: Buying Power Outage

We all experienced the slow uptick of inflation and rising interest rates in 2021, but homebuyers may have felt the squeeze most acutely, losing an average of $25,000 in buying power, at least according to economists who crunch these numbers for a living. Learn more from our friends at The Balance.

Chic vs. Geek: What to avoid after you sign

So you’ve applied for a home mortgage loan. Want to know what to do – and what not to do – next? We’ve got a few tips to share.

CHIC (PEARL)

Consistency is the name of the game. Be sure to discuss any changes in income, assets, or credit with your lender so you don’t jeopardize your application. Don’t change your bank account, don’t apply for a new credit card or close any credit accounts, and definitely don’t co-sign any loans.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The banks are always watching because money never sleeps. So the best plan is full transparency. Avoid making any large purchases like a car or a major appliance. And if you receive a cash windfall, don’t deposit it into your bank account before contacting your bank or lender.

Geek's Number Talk: How many months do we have?

One of the key indicators of a supply shortage in any industry is the number of months it would take to exhaust current inventory. While housing inventory typically fluctuates with the seasons, it’s clear that we’re on a much longer downward trend during the COVID pandemic.

Chic vs. Geek: What causes low inventory?

This week, we explain the variety of factors at play in a hot and competitive housing market.

CHIC (PEARL)

Low Interest Rates

Low interest rates are great for homebuyers, but they also make it easier for homeowners to keep their current homes and buy another, rather than selling. Over the last decade, an estimated 7 million properties have been taken off the market by homeowners and businesses investing in rentals. This is evident in the success of rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO.

Aging in Place

More and more Baby Boomers who bought low decades ago are choosing to stay in their homes and “age in place” – especially in the uncertain age of COVID. With prices soaring across California and the nation, where would they move?

Coming of Age

Meanwhile, the largest generation in history, Millennials, is about to hit the median age of a first-time homebuyer. That means an even greater strain on an already limited inventory and a fiercely competitive market into the foreseeable future.

GEEK (KEVIN)

We’re Not Building Enough

Ever since the housing bubble burst 12 years ago, homebuilders have slowed their pace and become more risk averse. According to Census data, an average of 1.5 million homes have been built each year in America since 1959. However, over the past decade, the pace has slowed to just 900,000 homes a year. Limited production, coupled with enticingly low interest rates and a generation of first-time homebuyers all combine to exacerbate the crisis.

Housing Policy

The CARES Act foreclosure moratorium has kept financially distressed homeowners from selling, but foreclosures were already at record lows before the pandemic. In fact, according to a recent report from CoreLogic, U.S. homeowners have seen their equity increase by $1 trillion since the third quarter of 2019, an increase of 10.8% year over year. So, even with 2.5 million homeowners in the mortgage forbearance program, we shouldn’t expect a wave of foreclosures when the moratorium is lifted.